The Poncan Theatre needs our help

The historic Poncan Theatre, built in 1927 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985, celebrates its 90^th birthday next year.

This beautiful venue is a large asset to the community and hosts a variety of shows such as live theatre, movies, concerts, wedding, conferences, the Bison Bison Film Festival, Ponca City Concert Series, Ponca City Arts & Humanities and Evans Children’s Academy of Performing Arts.

The theatre was closed from 1985 to 1994 due to financial difficulties and there was even consideration of tearing it down and making it a parking lot. A large group of Ponca citizens, who had a love and passion to see The Poncan remain a part of the community, united to preserve this treasure. The Poncan was re-opened in 1994, and since then has remained a highly sought-after venue for a variety of events.

It has been about 22 years since the last renovations took place at the theatre. There are some repair issues that greatly need some attention for The Poncan to remain such a beautiful part of the community.

Among the needed repairs:

•  Front glass and rotting window frame around the front of Team Radio
•  Water seal and repair the damaged bricks on the North (front) side of the building, which receives a lot of weather damage
•  Repair damaged areas of the roof that leak, including an area over the stage and above Team Radio
•  Update the deteriorating downstairs bathrooms
•  Repair the softening lead and add supportive structure to the original stain glass in the back of the main downstairs theatre
•  Repair areas that have termite damage in main theatre. The good news: there is no longer live termite activity.
•  Update the deteriorating dressing rooms downstairs for entertainers and correct some safety issues.

If you are interested in being a part of preserving this treasure, visit http://www.poncantheatre.org/. Donations may also be made directly at the box office at 104 East Grand Ave., from 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday.